Bhubaneswar: Odisha continued to reel under an intense heatwave on Sunday, with six places recording maximum temperatures of 45°C or above.

Titlagarh emerged as the hottest place in the state at 45.8°C, followed by Boudh at 45.6°C. Other severely affected locations included Bhawanipatna (45.4°C), Sambalpur (45.3°C), Sonepur (45.2°C), and Balangir (45°C).

At least 20 places across the state recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher. Jharsuguda registered 44.8°C, while Hirakud recorded 44.5°C and Nuapada 44°C. Other areas reporting high temperatures included Angul (42.7°C), Phulbani (42.5°C), Malkangiri (42°C), Bargarh (42°C), Nabarangpur (42.2°C), Khordha (41°C), Sundargarh (41.6°C), Nayagarh (41.6°C), Talcher (41.5°C), and Rourkela and Baripada at 40.2°C each.

The extreme heat kept most people indoors, while those venturing out sought refuge under trees and shaded areas. Many were also seen gathering at sugarcane juice stalls and tender coconut kiosks to stay hydrated.

Hot days to continue

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecast the heatwave conditions are likely to persist in several districts over the next five days.

Heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated places in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Boudh, and Bolangir districts. Sonepur is also expected to experience heatwave conditions, while warm night conditions may occur in Sambalpur and Bolangir.

The weather office has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph in the afternoon or evening hours at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. An orange warning has been issued for these areas.

Hot and humid conditions are also likely at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh.

Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely at isolated places in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh districts. A yellow warning has been issued for these regions.

In view of the ongoing heatwave, the Works Department has prohibited engagement of labourers during peak hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The directive, issued by the Engineer-in-Chief to field officials, aims to safeguard workers from extreme heat exposure.

Contracting agencies have been instructed to suspend work during these hours and ensure labour welfare measures, including shaded rest areas, safe drinking water, and first-aid facilities at worksites.